Neck issue forces Lilly to DL; Magill recalled

Veteran left-hander makes third trip to the disabled list in 2013

By Adam Berry / MLB.com

As expected, the Dodgers placed left-hander Ted Lilly on the 15-day disabled list Sunday due to a neck sprain and recalled right-hander Matt Magill from Triple-A Albuquerque to start against the Braves.

Lilly has been dealing with a chronic neck issue, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told reporters on Saturday. He has made five starts this season, going 0-2 with a 5.09 ERA, and he's heading to the disabled list for the third time this year.

The 37-year-old missed the first 19 games of the season while recovering from left shoulder surgery, then missed 17 more from April 30-May 20 due to a right rib cage strain.

Mattingly said that Lilly's neck issue is particularly frustrating because it's impossible to predict when it will give him trouble.

How long will the veteran lefty be sidelined?

"I can't hardly answer that," Mattingly said. "I'm assuming it would be a two-week thing, because he was trying to make this start. The neck was at a point where he couldn't throw. Without any setbacks, I would assume he would be ready to go in 15 days."

In Lilly's place, Magill once again slides into the Dodgers' rotation. He also pitched last Sunday in a spot start against the Rockies, allowing seven runs (six earned) on five hits in six innings.

The 23-year-old has made five Major League starts this year, going 0-1 with a 6.38 ERA. In Triple-A, Magill has gone 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA and a .183 opponents' batting average over five starts.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.